The most popular (and almost certainly embellished) story is that Edward III was dancing with a woman when her garter fell down. The people watching started laughing so Edward, in a moment of chivalry/feminism/general oddness picked it up and tied it round his leg, saying "Shame on those who think this is shameful".

Edit - If you want to see some of the silliness that come from having history have a look at the costumes

Too old to give up but too young to rest - Pete Townshend

I would rather be a rising ape than a falling angel - Sir Terry Pratchett

Gosh, it's decades since I read '1066 and all that'. These days, the kids have the whole 'Horrible Histories' series, but back when I was at school, that was the only book around to relieve the tedium that was Grammar School History lessons…